Scrap crusher with loading means

ABSTRACT

A scrap crusher for crushing irregular masses of scrap, such as stripped automobile bodies, into regularly shaped rectilinear slabs comprises a pair of spaced apart walls, a stationary inclined compression gate located between the walls, and a pivotably movable hydraulic ram operated inclined compression gate also between the walls. The gates and walls cooperate to define a compression chamber having an upper scrap receiving opening and a lower slab discharging opening. The crusher further comprises an inclined stationary platform adjacent the scrap receiving opening and aligned with the movable compression gate when the latter is in fully open position. A movable hydraulic ram operated loading member located on the platform is movable from an extended position toward a retracted position wherein it forces scrap on the platform into the chamber. The scrap is crushed into a slab in the chamber by closing movement of the movable compression gate. Opening movement of the latter gate allows the slab to be slid out of the press through the lower opening by the action of the loading member as it pushes the next load of scrap into the chamber. A motor driven slab ejector drum adjacent the lower opening assists in removal of the slab. The interior of the compression chamber is shaped to prevent scrap from being jammed therein.

United States Patent 1191 Patros 1 Oct. 2, 1973 SCRAP CRUSHER WITH LOADING'MEANS [75 Inventor: George C. Patros, La Crosse, Wis.

[73 I Assignee: Kar-Denser, Ine., La Crosse, Wis.

[22] Filed: -Feb. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 227,494

[52] US. Cl 100/215, lOO/DlG. 1, 100/218,

100/233, 100/269 R, 100/272, 100/295 [51] Int. Cl. B30b [58] Field of Search 100/D1G. 1, DIG. 2, 100/221, 224, 215, 218, 233, 272, 295,182

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,211,086 10/1965 Pearce 100/215 3,043,418 7/1962 Morrison et a1. 100/188 3,517,607 6/1970- Keagle l00/DlG. 2 3,170,389 2/1965 Parks 100/232 X 3,273,493 9/1966 Smiltneek l00/DlG. 1 3,077,827 2/1963 Burke et-al. 100/D1G. 2 3,564,994 2/1971 Mosley 100/233 2,619,150 11/1952 Smith 100/DIG. 2 2,986,992 6/1961 Patros etal.... 100/DlG. 1 3,266,413 8/1966 Sharp et al lOO/DIG. 1 3,035,513 5/1962 Johnson....., 100/218 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-James E. Nilles 1571 ABSTRACT A scrap crusher for crushing irregular masses of scrap, such as stripped automobile bodies, into regularly shaped rectilinear slabs comprises a pair of spaced apart walls, a stationary inclined compression gate located between the walls, and a pivotably movable hydraulic ram operated inclined compression gate also between the walls. The gates and walls cooperate to define a compression chamber having an upper scrap receiving opening and a lower slab discharging opening. The crusher further comprises an inclined stationary platform adjacent the, scrap receiving opening and aligned with the movable compression gate when the latter is in fully open position. A movable hydraulic ram operated loading member located on the platform is movable from an extended position toward a retracted position wherein it forces scrap on the platform into the chamber. The scrap is crushed intoa slab inthe chamber by closing movement of the movable comopening assists in removal of the slab. The interior of the compression chamber is. shaped to prevent scrap from being jammed therein.

v 4 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU 2 1 Y 3.762.321

SHEET NF 7 SHEET 2 [1F 7 PATENTEU 0m 2 I 73 PATENTEDIJBI 2191s SHEET 3 [IF 7 m oE S @2 3 8m if. b e}? & Maw fig 6 w m Fm? w: NV mm N o: wmH wm mm mm 5 R R. Q GB? 9 mp 8 Q om mm 88 9 'nszazl PAIENIEDBN 2191a sum 1 n; 1

4H JL I 1 SCRAP CRUSIIER WITH LOADING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Use This invention relates generally to scrap crushers for crushing irregular masses of scrap material into regularly shaped masses. In particular, it relates to such a crusher having automatically operable loading means which feed an irregular mass into a crushing chamber and assist in the removal of a shaped mass therefrom.

2. Related Application This application discloses a scrap crusher having a press portion which is substantially identical to that disclosed and claimed in my patent application entitled Scrap Processing Machine" filed in the U. S. Patent Office on the same date as the present application and bearing Ser. No. 227,493.

3. Description of the Prior Art In the reclamation of scrap materials, such as automobile bodies or the like, it was formerly the practice to employ a baling press for crushing the scrap into rectangular bales which were shipped to scrap steel processing plants for smelting. U. S. Pat. No. 2,986,992 issued June.6, l96l to G. C. Patros et al. for Scrap Baling Press discloses a baling press for this purpose. Scrap metal in bale form is difficult to handle, difficult to shred prior to smelting and cannot be packed so as to get the maximum use of available space in railroad gondola cars in which it is normally shipped. Accordingly, more recent practice is to employ presses which form the scrap into rectilinearly shaped slabs which can be more efficiently handled and shredded. U. S. Pat. No. 3,180,249 issured 'Apr. 27, 1967 to G. C. Patros for Method of Compacting, Segmenting and Cleaning Scrap Metals" discloses a method of forming and handling scrap in slab form. However, it is desirable to further expedite the process of converting scrap into rectilinear slabs by providing improved scrap processing machines which further eliminate costly manual labor and unnecessary handling, which speed up the process considerably, and which can be utilized economically at locations remote from the smelters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A scrap crusher in accordance with the invention comprises a crushing press for crushing an irregular mass of scrap material, such as-an automobile body, into a substantially regularly shaped rectilinear mass or slab; loading means comprising an inclined platform and a movable loading member for automatically supplying the press with a mass of scrap and ejecting a slab therein; and ejector means for further assisting in the discharge of the slab from the press.

Generally considered the press comprises a pair of spaced apart rigid smooth side walls between which a pair of relatively movable compression members or gates are mounted. The walls and gates cooperate to define a compression chamber having a scrap receiving opening and a slab discharge opening. When the press is closed, the compression chamber has the dimensions of the slab to be formed. As the press is opened, the slab discharge opening enlarges sufficiently, at least in one direction, to allow the slab to move therethrough. The loading means, by means of which the press is loaded with an irregular mass of scrap, comprises an inclined platform adjacent the scrap receiving opening and a movable loading member which is mounted so as to be slidably movable by a hydraulic cylinder from an extended or load-receiving position at one end of the platform to a retracted or load-discharge position adjacent the scrap receiving opening of the press. The movable loading member of the loading means is designed to push the body into the press and simultaneously to cause any slab therein to be ejected from the press. The

ejector means, which assists in removal of the slab, comprises motor driven drums located adjacent the discharge opening and having cleats thereon which engage the slab as it leaves the press and impart an additional ejecting force thereto. Preferably, the ejector drums are driven by a hydraulic motor which is supplied with fluid from a suitable source of hydraulic fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the loading means takes the form of an inclined rigid platform mounted adjacent to the scrap receiving opening of the press. The loading means further comprises a loading member movable by means such as a hydraulic ram, from an extended position to a retracted position wherein it pushes its load of scrap into the press and simultaneously causes any slab in the press to be forced therefrom.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the gates is stationary and one is movable, both gates have inclined working surfaces, and the stationary'gate is disposed above the movable gate. Furthermore, the movable gate is pivotably mounted with respect to the stationary gateand is pivotable about its lower end on hinge means attached to a supporting framework. The loading member of the loading means and the movable gate are operated or moved by hydraulic rams and the ejector drum is driven by a hydraulic motor. Operation of the loading ram, drum motor and gate ram are preferably synchronized, either manually or automatically, so that as the loading member is being extended, the movable gate is closing and, conversely, as the hopper loading member is being retracted, the movable gate is fully open and stationary.

A scrap crusher in accordance with the invention can handle other forms of scrap besides auto bodies and can be built to desired dimensions but an optimum size for handling auto bodies was found to be one wherein the press has a base dimension of about 20 feet long, a width of about 8 feet and a height of about 13 feet. The stationary gate is on the order of 19 feet long,-7 feet wide and 10 inches thick and the movable gate was on the order of 21 feet long, 7 feet wide and 10 inches thick. Overall weight of the press is on the order of 20 tons. Preferably, the machine is constructed of commercially available, standard size I-beams, channel iron, and k inch steel plate. Fabrication is 95 percent welded. Commercially available hydraulic rams are used. Slab size is on the order of 16 to 18 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 8 inches thick. Time for the'cycle of compressing and ejecting is on the order of 45 seconds.

It is also apparent that a scrap crusher in accordance with the invention is relatively easyand economical to fabricate, maintain and repair.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the loading end of 'a crusher in accordance with the invention showing its movable loading member in fully extended position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the discharge end of the crusher shown in FIG. 1 showing the loading member in fully retracted position. I

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the crusher shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with a side wall removed to show details, and showing the loading member in fully retracted position and the movable compression gate in fully open position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the movable compression gate fully closed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the movable compression gate opening;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the gates taken on line 6--6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the hinge means for the movable gate;

FIG. 9 is a view taken on line 9--9 of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the hydraulic ram arrangement for the movable gate.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 show that crusher 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a press 12, mounted on a base 14, and loading means 16 for the press. Base 14, which comprises steel side beams 18 and rigidly attached steel cross beams 20, is secured by bolts 22 to a concrete foundation 24 adjacent a pit 26. Loading means 16, which has an irregular mass of scrap thereon, such as an automobile body 28, is shown with its loading member 40 in fully extended position in FIG. 1 and in fully retracted position in FIG. 3 wherein the body has slid into an upper scrap receiving opening 30 in press 12. FIG. 2 shows a rectilinear mass of scrap, in the form of a slab 32, which has been discharged from a lower scrap receiving opening 34 in press 12. If preferred, crusher 10 can be used without pit 26.

As FIGS. 1 through 4 show, loading means 16 comprises a platform 36, two side walls 38, a movable end wall or loading member 40 and is open at the end adjacent scrap receiving opening 30 in press 12. Platform 36 is rigidly supported by beams or stanchions 42 adjacent press 12 and its loading member 40 is movable between retracted and extended positions by a double acting hydraulic ram or actuator means 44. Platform 36 has an inclined working surface 37 which is aligned with theworking surface 82 of movable gate 64 when the latter is in fully open position. Platform 36 is constructed, for example, of suitable heavy duty I-beams 39. The end of platform 36 is located as close as practical to the end of movable gate 64 when the latter is in fully open position so as to prevent scrap from being caught in the gap or space therebetween. Ram 44 comprises a cylinder 46 which has its lower end attached to a pin 48 on a bracket 50 rigidly secured to base 14 of press 12. Ram 44 also comprises a piston rod 52 which has its upper end attached to bracket 56 which is rigidly secured to loading member 40 and extends through a slot 54 in platform 36 of loading means 16. Cylinder 46 of ram 44 is understood to be supplied with hydraulic operating fluid from a suitable source.

As FIGS. 1 through 4 further show, press 12 comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel side walls 60 and a pair of relatively movable compression members or gates 62 (stationary) and 64 (movable) which are mounted between the side walls and cooperate therewith to define a compression chamber 66 which has upper opening 30 and lower opening 34, hereinbefore referred to. The side walls 60, which are preferably fabricated of A inch thick steel plate, are supported on the side beams 18 of base 14, and are further supported by reinforcement girders 68, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are secured to the base and to the exterior of the side walls. The side walls 60 are braced internally by laterally disposed beams 70, shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which also limit travel and afford support for movable gate 64 when the latter is in lowered position. The side walls 60 are rigidified by stationary gate 62 which is rigidly secured therebetween as by welding.

As FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 show, stationary gate 62 is disposed at an angle and has an inclined inner working surface 72. Gate 62 is understood to be approximately 19 feet long, 7 feet wide and 10 inches thick.

As FIG. 6 shows, stationary compression gate 62 is fabricated of a plurality of steel l-beams 74 disposed adjacent one another and welded togetheras at 75 along their adjacent edges. Channel irons 76 are welded to the outermost I-beams 74 and to the inside surfaces of the side walls 60, In a practical embodiment each I-beam 74 is about 10 inches wide, 10 inches high and 19 feet long and each channel iron is about2 inches wide, 10 inches high and 19 feet long. The interior surfaces of the side walls 60 and the working surface 72 of stationary gate 62 aresubstantially flat and smooth. The outside of stationary gate 62 is provided with steel reinforcing beams 78 which are welded athwart theI-beams 74, the channel irons 76 and to the top edges of the side walls 60.

As FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6 show, movable gate 64 of press 12 is similar in construction to stationary gate 62 in that it is comprised of welded I-beams 80 and channel irons 81 but gate 64 is about 21 feet long. Movable gate 64 has a flat, smooth upper or working surface 82 and is provided with rigid cross-bracing 84 on its under side. Movable gate 64 is pivotably mounted between the side walls 60 below stationary gate 62 on base 14' by hinge means 86 shown in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9. Gate 64 is movable between a fully open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, through a partially open return position shown in FIG. 5, and a fully closed or full-crush position shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 by means of a pair of hydraulic rams 88, one of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In fully closed position, the working surface 82 of movable gate 64 is spaced about 8 inches from the working surface 72 of stationary gate 62 as line in FIG. .8 shows. In fully open position, opening 30 between the top ends of the gates 62 and 64 is about 10 feet high and 7 feet wide and the opening between the bottom ends, i.e., the height of the slab ejecting opening, is about 16 inches high as line 87 in FIG. 8 shows.

As FIGS. 8 and 9 show, the hinge means 86 takes the form of a piano hinge and comprises a plurality of hinge sections such as 92 and 90, which are alternately connected as by welding to base 14 of press 12 and to the lower end of movable gate 64, respectively. Each hinge section 92 on base 14, for example, comprises a short length of angle iron 93 (about 1 foot long) which is welded to a beam 94 which is welded to the side beams 18 of base 14. Each hinge section 92 further comprises a length of cylindrical tubing 95 which is welded to angle iron 93. Each hinge section on movable gate 64, for example, also comprises a length of angle iron 96, which is welded to the lower side of gate 64. A length of cylindrical tubing 97 is welded to angle iron 96. The hinge sections 90 on movable gate 64 pivot on a cylindrical hinge pin or pintle 98 which extends through all the tubes 95 and 97.

As FIGS. 3, 4 and show, the means for moving movable gate 64 comprise a pair of double-acting hydraulic rams 88 (both visible in FIG. 10) which are identical in construction and operate simultaneously. A ram 88 comprises a hydraulic cylinder 100 which has its lower end pivotably mounted by means of a pivot pin 101 connected to side beams 18 of base 14. The movable piston rod 103 of ram 88 is connected to a shaft 104 to which pivotably connect the ends of two arms or links 105 and 106 of a collapsible or flexible linkage. Upper link 105 has its other end pivotably connected to a shaft 107 which is rigidly secured as by welding to brackets 108 on the bottom of movable gate 64, as FIGS. 6 and 10 show. Lower link 106 has its other end pivotably connected to a shaft 109 which is rigidly secured as by welding on base 14. Cylinder 100 of ram 88 is understood to be adapted to be supplied with hydraulic operating fluid from a suitable source. When piston rod 103 is fully retracted, as shown in FIG. 3, the links 105 and 106 flex to cause movable gate 64 to move to fully open position. When piston rod 103 is fully extended, as shown in FIG. 4, the links 105 and 106 cause gate 64 to move to fully closed position. The linkage arrangement shown affords a great mechanical advantage in the transmission of force to gate 64 and results in great crushing force thereby permitting a smaller, cheaper ram to be used than is the case in conventional crushers. I

Means are provided to prevent the slab 32 from being lodged or jammed in compression chamber 66. Such means comprise a pair of fillets 114 which are disposed in the corners formed by the working surface 72 of compression gate 62 and the side walls 60. The fillets l 14, in effect, change the lateral cross-sectional configuration of the slab and prevent wedging of the slab in those corners. Such means further comprise a pair of spaced apart parallel longitudinal projections 116 provided on the side edges of the working surface 82 of the movable compression gate 64. The projections 116 serve to move the scrap away from the clearance spaces between movable gate 64 and the chamber walls. As the gates 62 and 64 come closer together during a crushing operation, the projections l 16 cooperate with the fillets 114 to move the scrap inwardly in the compression chamber and away from the aforesaid clearance spaces.

FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 show that inserts or fillets 114 are connected between the working surface 72 of stationary gate 62 and the inside surface of side walls 60. Each fillet 114 is in the form of an elongated (about 19 feet long) solid steel member of triangular cross-sectional configuration which is welded to working surface 72 and its associated wall 60 along its entire length. The fillets 114 serve to relieve the shape of the sharp corners and to change the cross-sectional configuration of chamber 66. In operation, the fillets 114 cause the scrap metal to curve inwardly away from those corners as crushing occurs so there will be no entrapment of slab 32 when movable gate 64 is moved toward open position.

The working surface 82 of movable gate 64 is provided with the aforesaidspaced apart projections 116 on its upper working surface 82 which are disposed near and run parallel to'the side edges of the gate for the entire length thereof. The projections 116 take the form of inverted angle irons which are welded along their edges to the surface 82 of gate 64. The projections 116 serve to push up any sharp or loose pieces of scrap which would otherwise tend to gather in the corners and wedge in the spaces between movable gate 64 and the side walls 60. The projections 116 cooperate with the fillets 114 to direct and shape the irregular mass of scrap as it is being compressed into a slab by the cooperative action of the gates and the side walls. This ensures that the slab as finally formed will immediately begin to disengage from the walls and top gate 62 of compression chamber 66 as movable gate 64 begins to move from fully closed toward open position, as FIG. 5 shows, and ensures that the slab can be easily slid from the press.

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 show that ejection means are provided on press 12 at discharge opening 34. As FIG. 7 shows, such means comprise movable components such as rotatable ejector drums 118 fixedly mounted on a rotatable shaft 120 which is journaled for rotation on bearings 121 mounted on brackets 122 on movable gate 64 of press 12. Shaft 120 and drums 118 thereon are driven clockwise (with respect to FIG. 5) by means of a hydraulic motor 124 which is mounted on bracket 123. Motor l24 is supplied with hydraulic operating fluid from a suitable source and, if desired, may operate continuously when press 12 is in operation. Drums 11.8 are fabricated of steel and areprovided with a plurality of steel cleats 125. The cleats 125, best seen in FIG. 10, are welded to the peripheral surfaces of drums 118. In operation, the cleats 125 on drums 118 engage the lower surface of a slab 32 being ejected from between gates 62 and 64 and give the slab additional impetus to ensure its speedy removal from press 12.

OPERATION Crusher 10 operates as follows during one cycle of operation. Initially, loading member 40 is in fully extended position, as shown in FIG. 1, and an irregular mass of scrap, such as automobile body 28 is placed on platform 36, as by means, for example, of a crane or endloader. Hydraulic actuator 44 is then operated to move loading member 40 to fully retracted position, as shown in FIG. 2. Prior to the time that loading member 40 commences movement, the hydraulic rams 88 are operated to move movable compression gate 64 to fully open position, as shown in FIG. 3, so that the receiving opening 30 of chamber 66 is wide open and readyto receive body 28 from loading means 16. When loading member 40 is moved from fully extended position toward retracted position, body 28 slides under the force of loading member 40 into chamber 66 until it is wedged therein because of the wedge-shapedconfiguration of the chamber when fully open. At this point in the cycle, actuator 44 is operated to cause loading member 40 to begin its return to fully extended position in readiness for another body 28 to be placed on platform 36. Simultaneously, the rams 88 are operated to cause their piston rods 103 to extend and expand the linkage comprising links 105 and 106. As this occurs, movable compression gate 64 begins to pivot clockwise (with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4) on hinge 86 and-body 28 starts to be crushed between the gates 64 and 62. As body 28 is crushed, accompanying debris and torn metal which might otherwise tend to be'forced between the sides of movable gate 64 and the side walls 60 of press 12 are forced upwardly by the projections 116 on working surface 82 of movable gate 64. Similarly, the fillets 114 prevent any scrap materials from being forced or wedged in the corners formed by surface 72 of stationary gate 62 and side walls 60. The crushing process continues until the rams 88 move movable gate 64 to its full-crush or fully closed position, shown in FIG. 4. In this position, the spacing between the surfaces 72 and 82 of gates 62 and 64, respectively, is about .8 inches and body 28 is compacted into a rectilinear slab of laminated metal about 7 feet wide, 16 to.

18 feet long and 8 inches thick. As FIG. 6 shows, the crosssectional shape of chamber 60 and the slab 32 therein is generally trapezoidal, with the shorter side of the trapezoid uppermost.

After movable gate 64 has reached fully closed position, the rams 88 operate in reverse and cause movable gate 64 to start pivoting counterclockwise (with respect to FIGS. 4 and As this movement occurs, the size of lower discharge opening 34 begins to enlarge from its minimum height of 8 inches and slab 32 is no longer entrapped between gates 62 and 64, although it is still guided by the side walls 60 of press 12. As openi n g movement of gate 64 continues, slab 32 is in a position to be slid through discharge opening 34. As hereinbefore noted, there is no tendency for slab 32 to remain lodged or jammed in chamber 66 due to the shapingaction of the fillets114 and the projections 116 When gate 64 reaches fully open position slab 32 is lying thereon. As movable member 40, which previously was returned to fully extended'position, again commences movement from fully extended to retracted'position, it

forces another irregular mass of scrap on platform 36 into chamber 66. As this occurs, the scrap (i.e., an auto body 26, for example) engages the adjacent edge of slab 32 in chamber 66 and pushes the slab out through discharge opening 34. As the slab 32 begins to slide out of opening 34 of press 12, it reaches a position wherein its underside engages or is engaged by the cleats 125 on ejection drums-118 which are rotating in a clockwise direction (with respect to FIG. 5) and the slab is provided with additional impetus to ensure that it does not lodgeor jam in the press. The major forces effecting removal of slab 32 from chamber 66 are the pushing action of loading member 40 (acting through another mass entering the chamber) and that imparted by the ejection drums '118. If the discharge opening 34 of press 12 is adjacent pit 26, slab32 is able to fall into the pit ,andclear'of the press. If press 12 is not adjacent a pit, drums 1 l8 effect removal ofslab 32 in a horizontal direction. If preferred, suitable conveyor means (not shown)"could be disposed adjacent the drums 118 to receive'the slab 32. v

Duringthe crushing process, loading member 40 is returned to fully extended position (i.e., leftward in FIGS. 1, 2 and a) and another automobile body or other irregular mass ofscrap is placed on platform 36. And, when movable gate 64 has returned to fully open position, loading member 40 has moved to fullyex tended position and aload of scrap placed on platform 36 in readiness for the next cycle of operation. In timeferred embodiment of the invention, one cycle of oper- 1. In a crusher for forming an irregular mass of scrap material into a regularly'shaped mass:

a pair of relatively movable compression members pivotably movable to open and closed positions and cooperating to define a compression chamber having a scrap receiving opening and a discharge opening,

one of said compression members being a lower member having an inclined working surface, with said discharge opening located adjacent the lower end of said inclined working surface,

means to effect relative pivotal movement of said compression members,

a platform adjacent said scarp receiving opening and adapted to receive an irregular mass of scarp thereon;

said platform having an inclined working surface,

said inclined working surfaces of said platform and said lower member being aligned with each other when said relatively movable compression members are in open position, a movable member movv able from an extended position toward a retracted position to force an irregular mass on said platform into said "chamber through said scrap receiving opening, said irregular mass when moving into said chamber acting to push any regularly shaped mass therein out of said chamber through'said discharge movable between open and closed positions and position, said compression members cooperating to define a compression chamber having a scrap receiving opening and a discharge opening, means to pivotably move said lower compression member between openand closed positions,- 7 a platform adjacent said scrapreceiving opening and having an inclined working surface which is aligned with the inclined working surface of said movable compression member when the latter is in open position, 1 i said working surface 'of saidplatforrn adapted'to-have an irregular mass of scrap deposited thereon, a movable member mounted on said platform and movable between extended and retracted positions, said movable member when moved from extended to retracted position being adaptedto force an irregular mass of scrap on said platfonn onto said lower compression memberand acting to push any regularly shaped mass of scrap from said chamber through said discharge opening, means to move said movable member between extended and retracted positions, ejecting meansincluding a movable component adjacent-said discharge opening for engagement with ejector means is in operation at least while said lower compression member is stationary in open position.

4. A crusher according to claim 3 wherein said means to move said lower compression member comprises at least one hydraulic ram, wherein said means to move said movable member comprises at least one hydraulic ram, and wherein said means to move said movable component comprises a hydraulic motor. 

1. In a crusher for forming an irregular mass of scrap material into a regularly shaped mass: a pair of relatively movable compression members pivotably movable to open and closed positions and cooperating to define a compression chamber having a scrap receiving opening and a discharge opening, one of said compression members being a lower member having an inclined working surface, with said discharge opening located adjacent the lower end of said inclined working surface, means to effect relative pivotal movement of said compression members, a platform adjacent said scarp receiving opening and adapted to receive an irregular mass of scarp thereon; said platform having an inclined working surface, said inclined working surfaces of said platform and said lower member being aligned with each other when said relatively movable compression members are in open position, a movable member movable from an extended position toward a retracted position to force an irregular mass on said platform into said chamber through said scrap receiving opening, said irregular mass when moving into said chamber acting to push any regularly shaped mass therein out of said chamber through said discharge opening, means to effect movement of said movable member, ejecting means adjacent said discharge opening for engagement with said regularly shaped mass as it is being discharged to impart additional force thereto, and meAns to effect operation of said ejecting means.
 2. In a crusher for forming an irregular mass of scrap material into a regularly shaped mass: a stationary upper compression member, a movable lower compression member pivotably movable between open and closed positions and having an inclined working surface when in open position, said compression members cooperating to define a compression chamber having a scrap receiving opening and a discharge opening, means to pivotably move said lower compression member between open and closed positions, a platform adjacent said scrap receiving opening and having an inclined working surface which is aligned with the inclined working surface of said movable compression member when the latter is in open position, said working surface of said platform adapted to have an irregular mass of scrap deposited thereon, a movable member mounted on said platform and movable between extended and retracted positions, said movable member when moved from extended to retracted position being adapted to force an irregular mass of scrap on said platform onto said lower compression member and acting to push any regularly shaped mass of scrap from said chamber through said discharge opening, means to move said movable member between extended and retracted positions, ejecting means including a movable component adjacent said discharge opening for engagement with said regularly shaped mass of scrap as it is being discharged to impart additional force thereto, and means to move said movable component.
 3. A crusher according to claim 2 wherein said lower compression member is stationary in open position while said movable member moves from extended to retracted position, wherein said lower compression member moves from open to closed position while said movable member moves from retracted to extended position, and wherein said movable component of said ejector means is in operation at least while said lower compression member is stationary in open position.
 4. A crusher according to claim 3 wherein said means to move said lower compression member comprises at least one hydraulic ram, wherein said means to move said movable member comprises at least one hydraulic ram, and wherein said means to move said movable component comprises a hydraulic motor. 